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103rd out of 326 books
—
430 voters
Crossfire Trail
Rafe Caradec—gambler, wanderer, soldier of fortune—was as hard a man as the battlefields and waterfronts of Latin America could fashion, but he was as good as his word. As Charles Rodney lay dying in a dank ship’s fo’c’sle, Rafe swore to make sure that Rodney’s Wyoming ranch went to his daughter, Ann. In Painted Rock, Wyoming, Caradec found land for a man to love, miles of...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
July 1st 1997
by Bantam
(first published 1954)
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I want 3.5 stars! I enjoy Louis L'Amour as a writer. This one was a little odd for me because I'd seen the movie first and it was hard initially to wrap my head around the differences. The story is about Rafe who made a promise to Charles Rodney to take care of his daughter and Wyoming ranch. When he arrives it is to disbeleif that he knew Rodney but Rafe sets right in to caring for the ranch and trying to convince Ann, Rodney's daughter. Bad guys of course try to stop him and Rafe triumphs in t...more
I continue on my journey to honor my late father by reading all of the books written by his favorite author, Louis L'Amour. This one, Crossfire Trail, had a unique beginning with our hero being shanghaied from the west coast and forced into servitude for a year on a ship. The hero eventually escapes from the ship and heads to Wyoming to help the wife and child of a man he befriended while on the ship. There are good guys, bad guys, con artists, Native Americans, horses, gun-play, cattle and all...more
My first western. It was okay, pretty short book. Also was tired when reading it so that may have something to do with it. Like the good guys in the story, dependable interesting sorts. It was pretty much non-stop action and the lack of break from that was a bit taxing. Louis L'Amour writes well, but sometimes too dependent with the exclamation marks. There was a plot point that bugged me throughout the entire thing -- why in the world would they get in trouble and hung for mutiny? It was clearl...more
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On only his third or fourth novel, L'Amour starts to expand beyond the framework of good guys/bad guys/damsel in distress. The characters here are more compelling, less clear in their intentions, while the heroes and villains are not always willing to fit into their predestined roles. A good example of a writer starting to find his way.
Agian, a good book looking at more than just a romance or someone shooting someone over a beer.
I liked the fact of the ranching and conservation efforts of Rafe Caadec for Wyoming ranch.
Also the law and how it was used against and for the rancher, small farm.
I liked the fact of the ranching and conservation efforts of Rafe Caadec for Wyoming ranch.
Also the law and how it was used against and for the rancher, small farm.
Aug 03, 2011
Bruce
added it
This is my 8th book, reading L'Amour's books in the order he has written them. And it is one of my favorite. I loved the story line, the characters, and the ending. One of L'Amour's best. Highly recommended for those who like westerns.
Rafe Caradec—gambler, wanderer, soldier of fortune—was as hard a man as the battlefields and waterfronts of Latin America could fashion, but he was as good as his word. As Charles Rodney lay dying in a dank ship’s fo’c’sle, Rafe swore to make sure that Rodney’s Wyoming ranch went to his daughter, Ann. In Painted Rock, Wyoming, Caradec found land for a man to love, miles of rolling grasslands and towering mountains. He also found that one of the most ruthless men in the territory had set his sigh...more
Classic Louis L'Amour. Woman in danger, check. Five-page fistfight, check. Hero is sailor-mercenary-cowboy, check. Sioux as dangerous-but-honorable plot devices. Classic.
This is an excellent story; I read the shorhand version in 'Trail to Crazy Man'. The plot stays interesting throughout the book. It's shame some characters were so brutal.
I love westerns, what can I say? Good plot, the good guy of course wins and it was a quick easy enjoyable read!
I liked this. I actually love to watch TV westerns. I have seen this movie and loved it. So it actually helped while reading this to picture Rafe as Tom Selleck. You can't go wrong. (3 1/2)
Just like every other Louis L'Amour book I've ever read, I couldn't put it down.
Excellent. Interesting how the way to save the woman’s property developed.
I haven't read a lot of Louie L'Amour. It doesn't always suit me, but this one was great.
the book was good i think anyone who likes western books will like to read this book becuase it has a good twist to the end of the story
It was alright. I listened to it while working, pretty good for that.
Listened on a CA trip. Not my fav l'amour. Maybe since it was audiobook.
this was the first time I read a western I quite enjoyed it
Good Book. Just like all L'Amour books, end fast.
formula shootem up western. but a good yarn.
Always like his stories.
Great book sums it up good.
would read again
A
Aug 11, 2008
Ichlem
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
THose who enjoy western fiction
Recommended to Ichlem by:
Father
Classic Lamour novel. His ability to transport you back into the early american frontier is nearly perfect. Also, the different characters have personalities and characteristics all their own. The scene in the courtroom is particularly enjoyable. To see the villians squirm at their own stupidity is most enjoyable. The main character turns out to be a much more formidable opponent than they had originally thought. A must read for anyone who appreciates western fiction.
Easy read with an exciting cowboy plot.
Ok, Louis L'Amour is not exactly cerebral stuff. But I think his ~150 page Western novellas are going to be my new standbys to pick up between longer, more intense reading. Full of fist and gunfighting, it's entertaining as hell... if you can glaze over the plot holes and infallibility of the main character.
Nov 27, 2012
Drew Fasse
added it
A Western, Crossfire Trail follows Rafe as he struggles to honor his vow to a dying friend to protect his wife and daughter and their Wyoming ranch. Virginia Madsen questions Rafe's intentions and not knowing sides with the bad guys headed by land owner Bruce Barkow
I watched the Tom Selleck movie and therefore had to try L'Amour. To my surprise, the book was way better than the movie and I've read it several times since. The movie is still ok.
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Louis L'Amour was an American author. L'Amour's books, primarily Western fiction, remain enormously popular, and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death all 101 of his works were in print (86 novels, 14 short-story collections and one full-length work of nonfiction) and he was considered "one of the world's most popular writers".
-Wikipedia
More about Louis L'Amour...
-Wikipedia
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